The Potala Palace | Asian Art Museum | Education The Potala Palace The Potala Palace. Lhasa, Tibet. Photo by Terese Bartholomew. Resource Type: architecture This is the Potala Palace located in Lhasa. It is perched upon a hill called Marpo Ri, which commands a view of the entire city. This hill was where the kings of Tibet lived beginning with Songtsen Gampo in the seventh century. The Fifth Dalai Lama moved his headquarters here from Drepung Monastery in the mid-seventeenth century, and since that time the Dalai Lamas of Tibet resided there (until the exile in 1959 of the present Dalai Lama). This became both the spiritual and political seat of authority. After the construction of the Norbulinka summer palace in the late 18th century, the Dalai Lamas split their time between the two palaces, spending winters at the Potala and summers at the Norbulinka. What does Potala mean?

Potala derives from the word for the Pure Land or paradise of Avalokiteshvara (the bodhisattva of compassion) which is also “Potala.” The Dalai Lama’s are believed to be manifestations of Avalokiteshvara, so the naming of the Dalai Lama’s palace after that of Avalokiteshvara seems logical. What’s inside? Part palace, part fortress, part treasure-house, part temple, part tomb, part administrative center, it is a titanic building of over 900 feet long, with countless rooms. Over the centuries it became the repository for Tibetan culture. Store rooms were filled with priceless tangkas (religious paintings on silk), vast libraries, religious statues made of precious metals, and endless other things. 1 In 1959, the Chinese invaders tried first to destroy it with bombs, but it is so strongly built, with walls 26 feet thick at the base, that they gave up and instead removed the precious contents and turned it into a headquarters of the army. The red buildings at the center are the Potrang Marpo, the red palace, where religious services took place. The Potala was also the seat of the Tibetan government until the Chinese take-over.

Among the many rooms are some impressive throne rooms where the Dalai Lamas would receive official guests. It even houses the stupas , which contain the mummified remains of bodies of the former Dalai Lamas. The Potala has become a symbol of Tibetan nationhood. What was it like to live in this palace as the Dalai Lama? Famous stories about Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, tell of his adventures in the Potala. Since his position prevented him from mixing with the people of Lhasa like other boys his age, he explored the city from the roof-top of the Potala by spying on the people below with telescopes and binoculars. 2 He lived in the Potala from the age of 4 in 1939 until the age of 24 in 1959, when he left his country for exile in India. Discussion Points/Teaching Suggestion: Compare The Potala with other great buildings and monuments, such as the pyramids in Egypt, the Vatican, the Forbidden City in Beijing, the US Capitol, PacBell Park, San Francisco City Hall, etc. Discuss the functions of the buildings—are they seats of government?

religious institutions? How does the way they are built and decorated convey ideas? Does the building look like it was meant to defend attack or does it look inviting? 1 Hicks, Roger and Ngakpa Chogyam. Great Ocean: An Authorised Biography of the Buddhist Monk Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama. Longmead, England: Element Books, Ltd., 1984. A readable biography of this fascinating life with appendices. p. 36. 2 Harrer, Heinrich, Seven Years in Tibet, fifth printing (New York: E.P. Dutton & Co, 1968): p. 185. Places of Interest in Tibet, Tibet capital Lhasa, Potala Palace Places of Interest in Tibet Useful Links Places of Interest in Tibet Tibetâs capital Lhasa (elevation 3,700 m) is a cultural city with a history going back 1,300 years. The magnificent Potala Palace, former seat of the Dalai Lamas, presides over the city.

Built in 1645 on the top of a hill, the palace contains 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and 200,000 religious statues. The old city revolves around the Jokhang Temple and the quaint Barkhor market that surrounds it. The Jhokhang, built in the seventh century, is the holiest Buddhist shrine in Tibet. Its mural paintings, finely worked golden roofs and other works of art are something to see. At a little distance from the old city core, Lhasa is also a modern capital of concrete high-rises, fancy department stores and wide boulevards. Norbu Lingka consists of wooded greenery and three palaces once used by the Dalai Lamas as a summer retreat.The Drepung Monastery lies about 10 km from the city. Built in 1416, it is the largest in Tibet. The Sera Monastery, about 5 km to the north of Lhasa, is another important center of Buddhist learning. It lies amidst serene surroundings.

AROUND TIBET Shigatse (3,900 m) lies 274 km to the west of Lhasa. It is Tibet's second-largest city and has a 500-year-old history. The highway runs alongside the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) river passing through narrow gorges and broad river valleys. Farmers plowing their fields with yaks, sheep grazing on the vast plains, awesome sand dunes and rocky hills in the distance are the scenic rewards on the trip. The Tashilhunpo Monastery, built in 1447, houses a 26-meter high statue of Maitreya (the Buddha to come). Other buildings contain images of Sakyamuni (the Buddha of our times) and embalmed bodies of lamas. Gyantse (3,800 m) is located 260 km to the southwest of Lhasa. This trading town was a major stop on the legendary India-Tibet caravan route.

Gyantse's centerpiece is the Kumbum Stupa which is 32 m high and contains 77 rooms and 100,000 images of the Buddha. Pelkor Chode Monastery and Gyantse Fort (built atop a massive rock) are the other major sights here. The road from Gyantse to Lhasa takes you over three mountain passes: Simala (4,380 m high), Karola (5,045 m) and Ghampala (4,794 m). The highway skirts the Yamdrok Tso Lake before twisting up the Ghampala Pass from the top of which a fantastic view of the lake on one side and the Yarlung Tsangpo river on the other can be had. Tsetang (195 km from Lhasa to the south-east) is known as the cradle of Tibetan civilization. The ancient town offers a number of side trips that illustrate Tibet's early history.

The Valley of the Kings (ancient capital of the Yarlung kings who established the Tibetan nation), the Yumbu Lagang Palace (built for the first Yarlung king), and the Tandruk Monastery (one of the three royal Buddhist temples) aresome of the major sights. Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in western Tibet are intensely sacred pilgrimage sites for the Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Bon faithful, besides presenting an entrancing natural sight. Kailash is 1,257 km over a mountain highway from Lhasa. Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa - UNESCO World Heritage Centre Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa Indicators Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa The Potala Palace, winter palace of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century, symbolizes Tibetan Buddhism and its central role in the traditional administration of Tibet. The complex, comprising the White and Red Palaces with their ancillary buildings, is built on Red Mountain in the centre of Lhasa Valley, at an altitude of 3,700m.

Also founded in the 7th century, the Jokhang Temple Monastery is an exceptional Buddhist religious complex. Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's former summer palace, constructed in the 18th century, is a masterpiece of Tibetan art. The beauty and originality of the architecture of these three sites, their rich ornamentation and harmonious integration in a striking landscape, add to their historic and religious interest. Ensemble historique du Palais du Potala, Lhasa Le palais du Potala, palais d'hiver du dalaï-lama depuis le VIIe siècle, symbolise le bouddhisme tibétain et son rôle central dans l'administration traditionnelle au Tibet. Le complexe s'élève sur la Colline rouge au centre de la vallée de Lhasa, à 3 700 m d'altitude. Il comprend le Palais blanc et le Palais rouge, et leurs bâtiments annexes. Fondé également au VIIe siècle, le monastère du Temple de Jokhang est un complexe religieux bouddhiste exceptionnel.

Norbulingka, le palais d'été du dalaï-lama, construit au XVIIIe siècle, est un chef d'œuvre de l'art tibétain. La beauté et l'originalité de l'architecture de ces trois sites, leur riche décoration et leur intégration harmonieuse dans un paysage admirable s'ajoutent à leur intérêt historique et religieux. مجمّع قصر بوتالا التاريخيّ في لاسا يجسّد قصر بوتالا، وهو قصر الدالاي لاما في فصل الشتاء منذ القرن السابع، بوذيّة التيبت ودورها المركزيّ في إدارة التيبت التقليديّة. شُيّد المجمع على الهضبة الحمراء وسط وادي لاسا على ارتفاع 3700 متر. وهو يضمّ القصر الأبيض والقصر الأحمر والمباني الملحقة بهما. كما تأسس في القرن السابع دير معبد جوكانغ وهو مجمّع ديني بوذي استثنائي.

ويُشكّل قصر نوربولينغا وهو المقرّ الصيفي للدالاي لاما المشيّد في القرن الثامن عشر، تحفةً من تحف فنّ التيبت. وإلى هندسة المواقع الثلاثة المبتكرة وإنمّا أيضاً الجميلة وزخرفتها واندماجها في المنظر الرائع، تُضاف أهميّتها التاريخيّة والدينيّة.

source: UNESCO/ERI 布达拉宫自公元7世纪起就成为达赖喇嘛的冬宫，象征着藏传佛教及其在历代行政统治中的中心作用。布达拉宫，坐落在拉萨河谷中心海拔3700米的红色山峰之上，由白宫和红宫及其附属建筑组成。大昭寺也建造于公元7世纪，是一组极具特色的佛教建筑群。建造于公元18世纪罗布林卡，曾经作为达赖喇嘛的夏宫，也是西藏艺术的杰作。这三处遗址的建筑精美绝伦，设计新颖独特，加上丰富多样的装饰以及与自然美景的和谐统一，更增添了其在历史和宗教上的重要价值。 source: UNESCO/ERI Исторический ансамбль дворца Потала в городе Лхаса Дворец Потала, зимняя резиденция Далай-ламы с VII в., является символом тибетского буддизма и свидетелем его главенствующей роли в традиционном управлении Тибетом.

Комплекс, включающий Белый и Красный дворцы с служебными постройками, воздвигнут на Красной Горе в центре долины Лхаса на высоте 3700 м над уровнем моря. Храм и монастырь Джоканг, также основанные в VII в., – выдающийся буддийский религиозный комплекс. Норбулинка, бывший летний дворец Далай-ламы, сооруженный в XVIII в., – подлинный шедевр тибетского искусства. Красота и оригинальность архитектуры этих трех объектов, богатое украшение и гармоничное включение в выразительный ландшафт, дополняют их историческую и религиозную ценность.

source: UNESCO/ERI Conjunto histórico del Palacio del Potala en Lhassa El palacio del Potala, residencia de invierno del Dalai Lama desde el siglo VII, es un sí­mbolo del budismo tibetano y del papel desempeñado por éste en la administración tradicional del Tí­bet. El conjunto palaciego –que se yergue sobre la Montaña Roja, en el centro del valle de Lhasa, a 3.700 metros de altitud– comprende el Palacio Blanco, el Palacio Rojo y sus edificios anejos. Forman también parte del sitio el monasterio del Templo de Jokhang, un excepcional complejo religioso budista construido también en el siglo VII, y el Palacio de Norbulingka, residencia de verano del Dalai Lama construida en el siglo XVIII y obra maestra del arte tibetano.

La belleza y originalidad de la arquitectura de estos monumentos, su rica ornamentación y su armonización con el admirable paisaje circundante, vienen añadirse a su interés histórico y religioso.

source: UNESCO/ERI ラサのポタラ宮歴史地区 チベット自治区ラサ市、チベット仏教の寺院・宮殿。7世紀に成立したチベット初の統一王朝はラサに遷都し、紅山（マルポリ）に王宮を築き、今回、追加登録された大昭寺（ジョカン）を建立した。しかし、9世紀半ばに吐蕃王国が滅亡し、現在のポタラ宮は17世紀にダライ・ラマ5世が建設。谷から110mの山の斜面に13層の高層建築物が建ち、頂上には金殿がある。2001年、郊外に広大な敷地を占める1755年建立の夏の離宮・羅布林（ルオブリンカー）が追加登録された。 The Potala Palace © Sacred sites Outstanding Universal Value Brief synthesis Enclosed within massive walls, gates and turrets built of rammed earth and stone the White and Red Palaces and ancillary buildings of the Potal

a Palace rise from Red Mountain in the centre of Lhasa Valley at an altitude of 3,700 metres.

As the winter palace of the Dalai Lama from the 7th century CE the complex symbolizes Tibetan Buddhism and its central role in the traditional administration of Tibet. The White Palace contains the main ceremonial hall with the throne of the Dalai Lama, and his private rooms and audience hall are on the uppermost level. The palace contains 698 murals, almost 10,000 painted scrolls, numerous sculptures, carpets, canopies, curtains, porcelain, jade, and fine objects of gold and silver, as well as a large collection of sutras and important historical documents. To the west and higher up the mountain the Red Palace contains the gilded burial stupas of past Dalai Lamas. Further west is the private monastery of the Dalai Lama, the Namgyel Dratshang. The Jokhang Temple Monastery was founded by the regime also in the 7th century, in order to promote the Buddhist religion. Covering 2.5ha in the centre of the old town of Lhasa, it comprises an entrance porch, courtyard and Buddhist hall surrounded by accommodation for monks and storehouses on all four sides.

The buildings are constructed of wood and stone and are outstanding examples of the Tibetan Buddhist style, with influences from China, India, and Nepal. They house over 3,000 images of Buddha and other deities and historical figures along with many other treasures and manuscripts. Mural paintings depicting religious and historical scenes cover the walls. Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's former summer palace constructed in the 18th century, is located on the bank of the Lhasa River about 2km west of the Potala Palace in a lush green environment. It comprises a large garden with four palace complexes and a monastery as well as other halls, and pavilions all integrated into the garden layout to create an exceptional work of art covering 36ha. The property is closely linked with religious and political issues, having been a place for contemplation and for signing political agreements. The Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Norbulingka embody the administrative, religious and symbolic functions of the Tibetan theocratic government through their location, layout and architecture. The beauty and originality of the architecture of these three sites, their rich ornamentation and harmonious integration in a striking landscape, contribute to their Outstanding Universal Value.

Criterion (i): The Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace is an outstanding work of human imagination and creativity, for its design, its decoration and its harmonious setting within a dramatic landscape. The three-in-one historic ensemble of the Potala Palace, with Potala the palace-fort complex, Norbulingka the garden residence and the Jokhang Temple Monastery the temple architecture, each with its distinctive characteristics, forms an outstanding example of traditional Tibetan architecture. Criterion (iv): The scale and artistic wealth of the Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, which represents the apogee of Tibetan architecture, make it an outstanding example of theocratic architecture, of which it was the last surviving example in the modern world. Criterion (vi): The Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace forms a potent and exceptional symbol of the integration of secular and religious authority. Integrity The Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace owns tens of thousands of collections of diverse cultural relics. The wall paintings are rich in themes, form the best of Tibetan painting art and precious material evidence for learning Tibetan history and the multi-ethnic cultural fusion.

The historic scale, architectural typology and the historic environment remain intact within the property area and within the buffer zone, carrying the complete historic information of the property. Authenticity In terms of design, material, technology and layout, the historic ensemble of the Potala Palace has well retained its original form and characteristics since it was first built and from successive significant additions and expansions, convincingly testifying to its Outstanding Universal Value. Protection and management requirements The three components of the Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, the Potala Palace, Norbulingka and the Jokhang Temple are all State Priority Protected Sites, and protected by the Law on the Protection of Cultural Relies of the People's Republic of China.The Potala Palace was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1994, the Jokhang Temple in 2000 as an extension to the property, and Norbulingka in 2001 as a further extension to the property. The buffer zone of the property has been confirmed as originally demarcated. Any intervention must be approved by the responsible cultural heritage administration, with restoration strictly in accordance with the principle of retaining the historic condition.

The Potala Palace Management Regulations have been put into force; measures are formulated and taken for better visitor management. A World Heritage Steering Committee has been established in Lhasa. The conservation and management plans for the three component parts of the World Heritage property have been formulated and will be submitted and put into force as soon as possible. Notes Extension of "The Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple Monastery, Lhasa" to include the Norbulingka area. Activities Potala Palace, Lhasa Travel, Tibet Travel Potala Palace It can be said that the Potala Palace(布达拉宫) is the symbol of Lhasa , the regional capital of Tibet . Situated on Red Hill(红山) in northwest of the city, the Potala Palace was originally built as the house for the marriage of Emperor Songtsen Gampo(松赞干布) and Princess Wenchang(文成公主) in the Tang Dynasty(618----907). The palace was destroyed twice in its history. In 1645, it was rebuilt and expanded by Dalai Lama V. The project took about half a century to complete.

It is a sacred place for Tibetan Buddhism, the hall and corridors inside are decorated with master paintings, which are concerning Buddhist teachings and stories. There are Red Palace and White Palace as two main parts for Potala Palace. The Red Palace(红宫) displays the artistic statues of Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wenchang, as well as 1000 Buddhist images. The White Palace(白宫)is the one where religious and political activities were usually held and also residential palace for Dalai Lama. In 1994, the Potala Palace has been listed by UNESCO as the World Cultural Heritage. Nowadays, the palace attracts Buddhist worshippers at home and abroad to visit, especially during religious festivals. ►The Red Place and the White Palace: As it is mentioned before, the main architecture of the Potala Palace is composed of the two parts: Places used by the Dalai Lama as his living chambers and for political activities(the Red Palace); and various Buddhist halls for the successive generations of Dalai Lamas to deal with the Buddhist activities(the White Palace). ♦The White Palace is painted with white walls. It has seven stories.

The fourth story, which is called the Eastern Hall, covers an area of 717 square meters and is propped up by 38 large pillars. This is the most important Buddhist hall in the Potala Palace, and has witnessed many major religious and political activities, including the enthronement ceremony for the reincarnated soul boy of the Dalai Lama and the ceremony held when the Dalai Lama begins his reign at the age of 18. The fifth and sixth stories were used as the offices and living chambers of the Prince Regent. ►The great value of Potala Palace The Potala Palace is a treasure house of Tibetan art, the opulence of which reflects the enormous differences that existed between the nobles and the serfs and slaves, who made up 95 percent of the Tibetan population, in the old days. While the Red Palace is composed of the religious center and the Holy Stupa Memorial Hall, the White Palace features the living chambers and political center of the Dalai Lama. Both palaces indicate the social character of temporal and religious activities in old Tibet.

In sum, When you look at the Potala Palace, you see not only one of the most stirring structures on the planet -- "the most extraordinary building in the world," according to the great British traveler Peter Fleming -- but also a culture that is still strongly influential today. >>See the Tibet Tours Special Coverage Lhasa City of Tibet,Lhasa Tourism,Capital City of Lhasa,Travel Guide of Lhasa,Famous Palaces in Lhasa Lhasa City A Reflection of Paradise ! Lhasa City in Tibetan language means 'Holy City'. It is the capital of Tibet which dates back to 7th century AD when King Songtsen transferred his capital from Yarlung to Lhasa. The city is located at a height of 3,500 m above sea level in the south central part of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). It is the center of cultural, political and religious activities inTibet. Lhasa Town is also famous for few of the most stunning creations of hand in the entire world like Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple.

Lhasa also serves as a home to 31 communities and is the most thrilling city that offers everything from calm corners to bustling markets that beckons tourist from around the world. Lhasa has the most challenging terrain to reach and move around when compared to other parts of China and Tibet, as it has extreme altitude location. Once you reach here, the first look of the city makes you believe that Lhasa has something different, something that makes it special. Lhasa is a city which expects you to know a lot about it before you set out to explore its magical charms. The most important is your fimilarity with its climate and environment. You will be flabbergasted to notice the difference between the day time temperature and night time temperature. The city receives amazing amount of sunshine that keeps the temperature a bit high, but as the sun sets the temperature starts to fall drastically making nights extremely cold. So it is advisable to take woolen clothes as well with you. The best activity that you indulge in might be shopping from the famous Barkhor street. You will get everything that you wish from one single street itself full of shops. Your other shopping attractions could be silver ornaments, Thangka paintings, yak wool and different kinds of handicrafts.

What to See and What to Do ! Lhasa city is probably the most gifted city of Tibet in terms of natural beauty, magnificent historical monuments, monasteries, and shopping bonanza. You are bound to find few of the most visually enthralling architectural structures in Tibet, not only in form of famous temples and palaces but also in Tibetan residential homes, which are quite tastefully decorated, a museum in themselves. And for tourists like you, getting spellbound amidst these picturesque surroundings is quite natural. Potala Palace Located in the heart of Lhasa city, Potala Palace over the time, has become a landmark for the city. The palace was build by the famous king Songtsen Gampo for his wife Princess Wencheng. This extravagant palace was once used by Dalai Lamas as winter retreat and thus is also called the Winter Palace. But now it is used as a museum to showcase precious articles of history, culture and arts. You will also find the most sacred items of Buddhist religion like amazing statues of Lord Buddha and many religious paintings. In 1994, the palace was recognized as world heritage site by UNESCO and now is on the list of Chinese national key protected cultural relics.

You can visit the palace between 9.30 AM to 1 PM and from 3 PM to 6 PM. read more.. Jokhang Temple Jokhang Temple is one of the most visited pilgrim spots in Tibet. Located in the heart of Lhasa city, the temple is easily accessible as there are frequent bus plying to the temple from the city center. The temple houses the famous life size statue of Sakyamuni considered to be the most sacred for Tibetans, which was brought to Tibet by the two foreign wives of King Songtsen Gampo as wedding gifts. The temple is permeated with purity and if possible, stay back till night. It is the time. read more.. Lhasa Express Jokhang Temple is one of the most visited pilgrim spots in Tibet. Located in the heart of Lhasa city, the temple is easily accessible as there are frequent bus plying to the temple from the city center. The temple houses the famous life size statue of Sakyamuni considered to be the most sacred for Tibetans, which was brought to Tibet by the two foreign wives of King Songtsen Gampo as wedding gifts.

The temple is permeated with purity and if possible, stay back till night. It is the time. read more.. Norbulingka - A Garden Palace Norbulingka, situated in the west side of Lhasa, is a garden full of palaces build by different Dalai Lamas as their summer abodes. The garden covers an area of around 46 acres and has 370 lavishly furnished rooms. It was here, Dalai Lamas after the 7th Dalai Lama used to hold important meets and functions. You will find this place to be an absolute treat to be with your family as this is the best picnic spot quite popular among locals. The garden is open from 9 in the morning till 12 noon and again reopens at 3 in the evening. read more.. Bakhor Street Bakhor Street is the oldest street of Lhasa which earlier was used as a walk around path for Jokhang temple by pilgrims. But now, this is the most bustling shopping place in entire Tibet. Bakhor street, with all its variety, quantity and quality, is a perfect mirror to the culture of Tibet. The street is dotted with ancient houses which also serve as shops.

You will find all kinds of item like Buddha statues, Thangka paintings to Tibetan joss sticks, which can be an excellent gift back home. But the specialty of this street is definitely the eateries that offer all the famous and less famous, yet delicious dishes of Tibetan cuisine. Let your stomach decide how much to eat, because your heart will never let you stop. Do not forget to pay a visit to the apparel stores as they too have the uniqueness and special Tibetan look in their products. Where To Put Up ! Although the number of star rated hotels is large but still during the peak tourist season, it is next to impossible to get a room vacant. So it is advisable that you book the accommodations in advance. The hotels here are generally located close to the city heart and that means close to all the tourist attractions of Lhasa. Few of the hotels that can be safely recommended are Lhasa Hotel, Tibet International Grand Hotel, and Shambhala Hotel. All these hotels provide you with the best possible luxuries at a very nominal rate. How to Get There By Air The nearest airport to Lhasa city is the Lhasa Gonggar Airport which is around 97 km away.

Ample of mini buses run between airport and the city. By Rail Tibet railways, having started the train service since 1st July 2006 has opened up a new opportunity for the tourist to explore the fantasies yet unseen. By Road From airport, the road linkage is good and regular bus service is available. To all the main cities of Tibet, you can get a bus from the bus station in the junction of Minzu road Local Transport Getting around in a mini bus is the best way to explore this beautiful city of Lhasa. You can even opt for a taxi or a manually powered tricycle that are there in large numbers. Want to Know More About Lhasa City ! Lhasa is a city that has to offer something to everyone. From youngest children to great grandfathers, all have found Lhasa to be extremely fascinating. Kids will find ample of opportunity to mind their taste. Shopping of toys and colorful items can be a real fascination for the children, whereas for grown ups, there are most complicated and captivating monumental sites apart from shopping thrill. Potala Palace will definitely fall into common interest situated on a hill top. A walk up to the palace is always very adventurer as it is comparable to a mild trekking.

The environment here is conducive to traveling throughout the year, though most pleasant will be during the period from June to August, when the average temperature is around 80 C. Atleast keep three full days in hand to complete a tour in Lhasa City. This is also the best place to get your currnecy exchanged for Tibetan Money. Potala Palace in Tibet,Potala Palace Attractions,Potala Palace World Heritage Site,Famous Potala Palace in Lhasa Potala Palace Potala Palace - The Majestic Realm ! Potala Palace is located on Potala hills at an altitude of 3,700-m. Situated in the center of Lhasa valley, it has been recognized as a World heritage site by UNESCO. Some say that the palace is worthy enough to be included in the list of wonders of the world. Being one of the oldest structures in Tibet, Potala Palace has also become the most visited monument in Tibet. How the Legend Goes ! The construction of the palace was started by King Songtsen Gumpa in the 7th century for his two newly wed wives. The palace was used by the king as a retreat for meditation till his death.

The palace also suffered heavy loss due to several wars and lightning strike and later reconstructed by the order of 5th Dalai Lama in 1645. It gave a new look to the structure as the palace was not only mended, but was completely restructured, thus becoming a holy seat of Dalai Lamas gaining the important political center. After the 7th Dalai Lama, who constructed a summer palace in Norbulingka, Potala Palace was only used in winters. It stopped being abode for Dalai Lamas after the 14th Dalai Lama was ousted from here to Dharamshala in India due to a failed uprising against the invading Chinese in 1959. Since then it is used as a State museum of China and is now a famous tourist destination. What to Look For, What to Do ! Potala Palace generally comprises of two portions, The White Palace which is the administrative block and the Red Palace - a religious block. You will be entering the Palace from East portal which will lead you to Deyang Shar courtyard. This is the place where Dalai Lamas used to enjoy Tibetan Opera.

To the west of it is the White Palace where you will find the living quarters of monks, which is on the fifth and sixth floor. On the fourth floor, there is a longest hall of the White Palace called the Great East Hall. It's a brilliantly decorated hall that was once used for holding any big religious or political functions. The quality of the art you will find inside is definitely worth your time. Don't leave the building without going into the balcony of the White Palace from where you will get a panoramic view of Lhasa City. Move to the next portion of the Palace, the Red Palace. This is where you will find relics and antique of 7th century. The Red Palace is full of statues and gorgeously carved stupas that will completely justify your effort to come to Potala Palace. Here also you will find a gigantic hall in the middle, The Greatest West Hall, which is the largest hall in entire Potala Palace. The walls of the halls are filled with portraits about the life and works of fifth Dalai Lama. You will be awe-struck by knowing about the power and dignity that a Dalai Lama holds in the scheme of things.

Apart from the halls, you can also visit the other five chapels, The Saint's Chapel, The North Chapel, The South Chapel, The East and The West Chapel. The North Chapel is dedicated to Sakyamuni Buddha along with the fifth Dalai Lama. Similarly, all other chapels are also dedicated to some important personalities in the course of history. What Else You Need to Know ! You can visit the Palace from 9.00 to 12.00 in the morning and from 3.00 to 5.00 in the evening. It will be better if you keep something around 3 hrs in hand just to roam around in the palace, but if you wish to enjoy the exquisiteness and elegance of this marvel, keep aside at least half a day if not more. There is no doubt that palace will be of great interest to elders due to its rich history but it is also going to be a special place for kids also as the whole palace is full of color and vibrance. There are frequent bus service from the Lasa Town to the palace, you can also hire private taxi. Sojourn to this paradise, so mighty, so divine and absolute sceneric.

The words here are just the mere reflection of what you are going to see in this one of a kind marvel. Potala Palace has everything in it that will make you think, is there any better place on the face of earth. Lhasa | China | Britannica.com Lhasa China Lhasa, Chinese (Pinyin) Lasa, (Wade-Giles romanization) La-sa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, southwestern China . It is located at an elevation of 11,975 feet (3,650 metres) in the Nyainqêntanglha Mountains of southern Tibet near the Lhasa River, a tributary of the Yarlung Zangbo (Tsangpo) River (the name of the Brahmaputra River in Tibet). Tibetan Buddhists consider Lhasa a holy land, and it is a state-level historical and cultural city in China. Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. Photos.com/Jupiterimages Lhasa had been designated as the capital of Tibet by the 9th century ce.

However, national power became decentralized following the assassination of the Tibetan king in 842, and Lhasa lost its position as the country’s capital, though it gained in religious importance in succeeding centuries. It served as the national religious centre of Tibet, and much of its population was composed of Buddhist monks and laypeople. In 1642 Lhasa was again the seat of the central government, a position it held into the 20th century. Although Chinese troops moved into Lhasa and Tibet in 1951, both remained under the Tibetan authority until 1959, when direct Chinese administration was imposed. Lhasa was established as a city in 1960. The centre of the city is occupied by the four-story Tsuglagkhang , or Gtsug-lag-khang (Jokhang), Temple, built in the mid-7th century ce and considered the holiest place in Tibet. It was temporarily converted into a guesthouse by the Chinese after 1951, but restoration of its artistic and architectural heritage began in 1972–75, and its religious functions were restored in 1979.

Other city landmarks include Klu-khang (Lukhang) Temple; Potala Palace , once the winter residence of the Dalai Lama ; and the former summer palace of the Dalai Lama, the Norbuglingka (Nor-bu-gling-ka; Jewel Palace), which is now called the People’s Pleasure Park. The monasteries of ’Bras-spungs (Drepung) and Se-ra, two of the largest in Tibet, have received renovation.

Visitors outside the entrance to the Tsuglagkhang, or Gtsug-lag-khang (Jokhang), Temple, Lhasa, … © Ron Gatepain (A Britannica Publishing Partner) View within the Tsuglagkhang, or Gtsug-lag-khang (Jokhang), Temple complex, Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous … © Ron Gatepain (A Britannica Publishing Partner) View of the upper level of the Tsuglagkhang, or Gtsug-lag-khang (Jokhang), Temple, Lhasa, Tibet … © Ron Gatepain (A Britannica Publishing Partner) The Tsuglagkhang, or Gtsug-lag-khang (Jokhang), Temple, Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. Travel Ink/Gallo Images/Getty Images Potrang Karpo (White Palace) within the Potala Palace complex, Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, … © Ron Gatepain (A Britannica Publishing Partner) Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. © Ron Gatepain (A Britannica Publishing Partner) Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China.

© Ron Gatepain (A Britannica Publishing Partner) Similar Topics 1000+ images about CASTILLOS Y PALACIOS DE CHINA on Pinterest | Tibet, Beijing and National palace museum Potala Palace, Tibet - The Potala Palace is located in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. It is named after Mount Potalaka, the mythical abode of Chenresig or Avalokitesvara (Source - Wikipedia) See More

Question: The Potala Palace is a place of interest in which Asian city?
Answer: Lhasa